Method of and means for effecting vapor treatment of yarn in a yarn fabricating machine



JANSSEN 2,066,781 METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR EFFECTING VAPOR TREATMENT .Jah. 5, 1937.

OF YARN IN A YARN FABRICATING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 50, 1955 Il MEI. A iizi. J \1 1 INVENTOR lie/n55] Jiinssem BY y W 44 ATTORNEY.

- Jan. 5, 1937.

H. JANSSEN 2,066,781

9 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 I fi INVEN TOR:

flan/1 Jmssan, By

Jan.5,1937. HJANSSEN 2,066,781

METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR EFFECTING VAPOR TREATMENT OF YARN IN A YARN FABRICATING MACHINE Filed March so, 1955 9 Sheets- Sheet s IN V EN TOR.

Y m I Jan. 5, 1937. H. JANSSEN k 2.066;78l

METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR EFFECTING VAPOR TREATMENT OF YARN IN A YARN FABRICATING MACHINE Filed March 30, 1935 v 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR."

' Jan. 5, l9 37.- 5 2,066,781

METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR EFFECTING VAPOR TREATMENT OF YARN IN A YARN FABRICATING MACHINE v Filed March 50, 1935 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVEN TOR." ileum finssen,

T ATTORN Jan. 5, 1937. H. JANSSEN 2,066,781

METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR EFFECTING VAPOR TREATMENT OF YARN IN A YARN FABRICATING MACHINE Filed March so, 1935 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 I INVENTOR: I N m f 116111,? Jiinssenl,

Jan. 5, 1937. H JANSSEN 2,066,781

METHOD OF AND MEANS-FOR EFFECTING VAPOR TREATMENT OF YARN IN A YARN FABRICATING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed March 50, 1935 F1. -ll- INVENTOR: v Jdmszsew, BY

ATTORNEX Jan. 5,1937. ANSS'EN H. J 2. METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR EFFECTING VAPOR ,TREATMENT OF YARN IN A YARN FABRICATING MACHINE Filed March so, 1955 -9 sheets-sheet 9 atented Jain answer I mans iron nrrncrinc 1 METHOD @F VAPOR TREATMENT FABEIOATDIG MAG 1E F YARN'HN A YARN Henry .lanssen, Wyomissing, Pa, assignor to 'liextile Machine Works, Wyomissing, lPa., a corporation of Pennsylvania 1 s Application March 30, 1925, Serial No. 13,858

, 18 Claims. My invention relates to a method of, and to means for, effecting treatmentby a vapor or other medium of the yarn in a yarn fabricating machine, such as a full fashioned knitting ma- 4 5 chine or the like, thereby causing the yarn to be more uniformlyconditioned forproper feeding to, and fabrication by, the machine; and it has for one of its objects to provide a novel method, and a novel means, of this character.

In working-orknitting Jcertain fine yarns, particularly silk, in the form of sheer-silk hosiery, underwear, and the like, difliculty is encountered in havingthe-yarn assume efiective shape or relation to the needles and otherworking parts to ensure a uniform fabric, this objection resulting from the inherent tendency of the yarn tocurl or crinkle unevenly. This results in irregular areas in the fabric, delays and expense from tangles, and interruption of operation of the machine, as well as other detrimental effects.

Another object of' the invention is, therefore, to avoid the above-mentioned undesirable features, which is effected by a-method, and amachine for practicing the method, to ensure a more thorough and uniform conditioning or moistening of the variable supply of yarn in the machine before it is directly fed from a container to the working parts for eflicient manipulation by the needles, sinkers and dividers at the time of knitting, whereby the curling tendency is precluded operates with the working parts to produce the desired fabric with greater facility, and at reduced cost.

It has heretofore been customary to moisten silk yarn, for use in knitting machines, by encas-- ing the yarn-packages or cones in receptacles called moistening boxes, in which bodies or pools of liquid are disposed, and to lead the yarn from these boxes, and through the so-called moisten ing troughs, to the needles.- Such devices depend entirely on the inherent ability of the liquid body to give off moisture, as affected by variable surrounding atmospheric conditions, to condition the airin the moistening boxes, with the. result that the effect on the yarn is as variable as the above-mentioned conditions; Another object of the invention is therefore, to properly treat the yarn with vapor irrespective v of the variable atmospheric conditions surrounding the machine, to maintain the atmosphere about the yarn uniformly humidified for any given yarn at all times, and to provide a device and a system for this purpose.

With yarns of different size, twist and texture, the rate and degree of humidification should accordingly be different, to greater degree than can feasibly be produced for all yarns by merely varying the area of the aforementioned liquid bodies or pools.

or sufiiciently reduced such that the yarn co- It accordingly, is another object of the invention to produce a forced draft or circulation of conditioned air against the yarn, either in the box or receptacle in which the yarnis maintained or at another suitable position, to adjust this flow or circulation for reception by the yarn to the requirements of different kinds and quantities of yarn, as at a rate corresponding to thevarying rate of absorption of the medium by the yarn, and to automatically maintain such new against effects tending to vary it;

Inthe arrangement whereby the yarn is first conditioned in the moistening box, and then led through a moistening trough, before reaching the yarn carriers and knitting mechanism,'the intention is to pre-condition or pre-prepare the yarn in the box, so that it may more effectively cooperate with the liquid in the trough, or, in other words, tofirst affect the yarn by a relatively slight subjection to moisture'in the box at an appreciable interval of timebefore reaching the trough, and to then give it a main bath or submersion in the trough. This operation is intended to so start the absorption process at the box, and to .so allow it to work during transit of the yarn 5 to the trough, that, at the latter, the operation at the trough will be facilitated. However, the delicate balance of such cooperation is very much affected by yarns of diiferentsizes, twists and textures, as well as by the rate of feed.

It is a further objectbffmy invention to provide for adjustment of the rate of subjecting to vapor the particular yarnin use, so that each yarn, irrespective of size, twist or texture, will be a more" effectively preconditioned in accordance 5 with the rate of feed, and its ability to take up the liquid in the trough.

Moistening boxeshemploying liquid pools for knitting machines have previously been constructed either to hold the pools in false bottoms of the boxes, or in removable pans, either of which required periodic renewal with sufficiently rapid recurrence, to render the feature appreciably undesirable and of considerable expense. This was I caused by rust, corrosion and accumulation of 45 sludge or foreign matter, whereby the boxes and pans relatively quickly become unsightly and badly conditioned for their-.work.'

Another object of the invention is to practically eliminate these objections by not requiringan the use of the pools, and by so generating feeding and regulating the supply of properly moistened air', as to have it supplied at a varying rate substantially only as needed by the yarn, in accordance with variations in the quantity, rate of medium-receiving' quality, and feeding of the yarn to the knitting mechanism of the machine, and not in such excess as to allow any substantial accumulatioh on the surrounding parts. Thus, the initial Qost of the device is reduced, by not requiring pans and other provisions for the pools, and the life is extended by the elimination of the abovementioned effects of the pools.

Previous moistening boxes were also provided in number in accordance with the number of knitting sections in a machine, which arrange-' in an individual box when the latter is opened.

to renew yarn, or for other reason, as to require considerable time for the air in the box to resume its former condition.

It is another object of the invention to improve the uniformity of simultaneously produced articles, such as full-fashioned stockings, by providing a single box, yarn receptacle or equivalent structure for an entire machine, irrespective of the number of its sections, whereby the yarn-treating medium is uniformly distributed and homogeneous throughout the receptacle or housing structure and the yarns are more nearly all subject to the same treatment, this box being preferably constructed as a multi-section composite unit extending continuously along a plurality of machine sections in which the cooperating container sections or series related units are separately removable to permit access to adjacent parts of the machine, to facilitate manufacture, storage and shipping, to render it easy and economical to replace locally damaged parts, and to have other advantages. This box, whether a humidifier of the old, or of the new and improved, type be employed therewith, will cause less effect on the air when one of its sections is opened, as to supply new cones of yarn.

Other objects include effecting the novel vapor treatment at a preselected temperature or range of temperatures; the manual and automatic control of the temperatures; novel means for effecting the temperature control; reducing the size or action of, or eliminating, other conditioning means, in cooperation with, or in addition to, the means of the invention, either prior, or subsequent, to the treatment by such'means; reducing the yarn-treating means of the machine in size, number of parts, weight, cost and operating expense; preventing the escape of conditioned air when a receptacle for such air is opened; controlling the vapor in accordance with a tendency to lowered pressure along a conduit between the pressure source and distribution positions; the provision of novel gallows for supporting a moistening box, and a clamping means for holding such box in position; a novel mounting for a humidifier unit; and other features of construction and operation, such as vapor-ejector nozzles, seal ing various parts against escape of the vapor and compensating for discrepancies of fit, or expansion, between various parts.

With these and other objects in view, which will become apparent from the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, my invention resides in the novel method, elements, features of construction and arrangement of parts in cooperative relationship, as hereinafter more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an outline view, in rear elevation of a multi-section full fashioned knitting machine embodying a yarn-conditioning device of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3- is an enlarged detail view, taken substantially along the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view, taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view of the knitting machine, as equipped with the invention, taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Fig. 1, a frame of the machine being shown in broken lines, and a diagram of electrical circuits being included;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view of a humidistat embodied in the invention, as indicated in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of adjoining ends of two sections of the moistening box of the invention, taken substantially along the line T! of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged View, partially in side elevation and partially in vertical plane section, of a humidifier unit embodied in the invention;

Fig. 8A is a view, similar to Fig. 8, of a modified form of the invention'whereby the temperature of the humidified air or vapor is controlled;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of one of the intermediate detachable and removable sections of a multi-section moistening box structure constituting part of the invention;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to a portion of Fig. 9 of one of the end sections of the moistening box structure of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged'view, taken substantially along the line ll-ll of Fig. 1;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of a conduit structure and its relation to the moistening box of the invention, as viewed near the right-hand end of Fig. '7;

Figs. 13 and 14 are perspective views, with parts broken away, of brackets for supporting the box at positions intermediate the ends, and at the ends thereof, respectively;

Fig. 15 is an outline view, similar to a portion of Fig. 1, showing a modification of corresponding parts, and omitting other parts for clearness;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged detail sectional View of one of several like nozzle structures as viewed in Fig. 5;

Fig. 17 is a view, similar to Fig. 15, of another modified form of the invention wherein the com-- posite multi-section box unit is adapted for use with a pool or'pools of water instead of a forced vapor' draft;

Fig. 18 is a view, similar to Fig. 16, of a series of nozzles having apertures of progressively different sizes;

Fig. 19 is a view similar to Fig. 18, of a modification of the nozzles of Fig. 18;

Fig. 20 is a view of a portion of the composite box, and adjacent parts, as seen from the rear of the machine, and end closure elements, cooperating with adjacent ends of sections from between which a section is removed;

Fig. 21 is a view, similar to Fig. 11, showing one of the end closures of Fig. 20; and a Fig. 22 is a perspective view of the closure of Fig. 21.

In all of the figures, corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference characters.

Referring to the drawings, a means for practicing the method of the invention is shown as applied to a Reading full fashioned knitting machine, only the parts of which, necessary to a complete understanding of the invention are shown, the other parts and the operation of the machine being well known, as fully shown and described in the Reading Full Fashioned Knitting Machine Catalogue, copyright 1929, and published by the Textile Machine Works, Reading, Pennsylvania.

Referring to Figs.- 5 and 1, in an eighteen section full fashioned knitting machine, selected merely by way of example, a cam shaft l2, supporting camsfor impartingmovement to various units of the machine, is rotatably journaled in bearings onend and center frames [4, which are held in spaced relation along the machine by tie members including a front beam l5, a back beam IS, a front bed l1 and a center bed l6. Banks of needles22, only one of which is indicated, Fig. 5, are each held to a needle bar 23 by clamps 24, andcooperate in a usual manner with the sinkers, dividers and knockover bits of a sinker head assemblyS mounted on the center bed l8. Carrier rods 28, longitudinally reciprocably mounted on brackets 29 0n the center bed l8, support yarn carriers 32 for laying courses of the yarn to the needle banks 22. A coulier motion mechanism C, Fig. l, is provided at the rear of the machine for actuating the knitting mechanism, all of the parts so far enumerated being as heretofore constructed in the above-mentioned Reading machine.

In the parts as added or modified by the invention for combination with the above-mentioned or equivalent structure, a plurality of intermediate and end brackets 33 and 34, respectively, Figs. 1, 11, 13 and 14,;are secured one to each of the frames l4 for supporting a composite multisection moistening box unit B.

The intermediate brackets 33, of which, in this example, there are eight, as seen in Fig. 1, have main bodyportions each of which is general y of C-shape having upper and lower horizontal arms 35 and 36, respectively, a vertical portion 31, a lower branch extension 38 for direct attachment to a frame l4 and upper vertical and diagonal branches39 and 42, respectively, joined by a horizontal portion 43, all of these parts preferably being of one integral casting.

Similarly, the end brackets 34 have main body portions of substantially C-shape each having an upper horizontal arm 35a, a lower horizontal arm 36a, a vertical portion 31.11., a lower vertical branch extension 38 for direct attachment to the corresponding frame l4, and upper vertical and diagonal branches 39 and 42, respectively. However, a preferably integral vertical plane flange 50, in the form of a rectangular substantially closed loop is embraced by the arms 35a, 31a and 36a of each end bracket 34 to form therewith a substantially rabbet groove 48 embracing three sides of the box, the top, bottom andrear, at the box ends, whereby to hold the box longitudinally in both directions, and to provide a support to permit the readymounting and removal of the sections by front to back sliding movement in the grooves.

The branches" 39 each have a pivot support 44 about which may be adjustably fixed a bracket 45 of substantially T-shape for the support of yarn' guide rods 46 extending between the; heads of adjacent of the brackets 45. Bars or straps 41, mounted on the upper verticalarms 39, are provided for the support of moistening troughs 48 by means of hooks or clips 49; the bracket 45, the straps '41,v the troughs 48 and the hooks 49 being substantially as heretofore employed. Other brackets 52, similar to the brackets 45, are likewise adjustably fixed on pivot supports 53, disposed one on each of branch arms 54 of the diagonals 42, for supporting guide rods 55. The diagonals 42 also support a shaft 56 for snappers 51 by which the feeding and tension of the yarns are controlled in a well known manner. Each of a plurality of vertical rods 58 is held in a bracket 59 on one of the arms 39, and positions a tension ring 62 fioatingly embracing both the rod and the yarn, on which it imposes its weight.

The moistening box unit B comprises interme-' diate sections F, and end sections E, as better shown in Figs. 2, 9 and 10, disposed end to end in the general form of an elongated tube of rectangular cross section at the rear of the ma chine, the intermediate sections F each being open at each end, and the end sections E each being closed by a wall or panel 63 at one end, and together providing the remote ends of the composite box.

All of the sections F and E are preferably constructed of galvanized sheet metal and have sliding front and rear glass-paneled doors 64 and 65, respectively. Bobbin-supporting pins 66, supported on the bottom walls 61 of the box sections F and E, by washers 10 and nuts 1|, are provided to support yarn packages or cones 68 which supply yarns 69, through eyelets 12 in the top walls 13 and," of the intermediate and end box sections, respectively, over one of the guide rods 46, through the moistening trough 48, through the tension rings 62, through the snapper 51, against one of the guide rods 55 and along the carriers 32 to the sinker head assembly S and the needles 22. r

The box sections F and E fit relatively closely between the upper and lower bracket arms 35 and 36, against the rear bracket arm 31, relative to which they are clamped by upright front mem-- bers 15 secured to the end and intermediate brackets, as by screws 16 in bosses 11, see Figs. 13 and 14. The arms 35, 36 and 31 are preferably of semi-circular cross section having fiat sides against the flat sides of the box, as indicated in Fig. 7. The arms 35a, 36a and 31a of the end brackets E are similarly of substantially semicircular cross section, except for the flange 50, integral therewith at one edge of each to therewith form the rabbet groove 40.

As better seen in Figs. 7, 9 and 11, the intermediate box sections F have inturned end perimetral flanges 1B for abutting plane-face relation to the flanges 18 of the next'adiacent sections; this construction being provided to lend greater thickness dimension to the abutting ends of the box section walls, to provide better fit, to

eifect a better seal at the joints between the sections, and to reinforce the box radially of its length. Each end section E also, is provided, at its inner end, with a like flange 18 for abutting relation to a corresponding flange of the next adjacent intermediate section.

Each section I and E, except the left-end section E, as viewed from the rear of the machine, is provided, at its left-hand end, withan overhanging sheet metal member or plate 19, see

-Figs. '1 and 9, secured thereto, as by screws 82 and projecting to the left, in the plane of the box top. This feature is to compensate for any vertical dimensional discrepancy between the box and the horizontal bracket arms 35 and 36, whereby the adjacent box section ends may be brought together with a. snug fit, to securely position the sections and to seal the joints therebetween, at approximately the centers of. the arms 35 and 36 longitudinally of the box.

The end brackets 34 are substantial duplicates of the intermediate brackets 33, except for the provision thereon of the flanges 50, see Figs. 3 and 14 which embrace theends of the composite unit in the rabbet grooves 40.

In each box section E and F, each of the front and rear doors 64 and 65, respectively,

comprises halves slidable in adjacent offset parallel planes, see, Figs. 3 and 4, in sheet-metal channel portions 83 of the corresponding box walls, and provided with handles 84 for moving any half door longitudinally of the box, whereby the halves of each door overlap at adjacent ends in closed position to provide effective closure of the box; the remote, or vertical end edges of the half doors of each pair fitting in vertical channels 85.

By removing the front clamp bars 15 from the brackets 33 or 34, the box sections may be individually or collectively removed from the brackets, by sliding the sections to the left, as viewed in Figs. 5 and 11, and conversely replaced or renewed by moving the same or new sections to the right; it being also necessary to remove the nozzles of a conduit system, as will hereinafter appear, for the above-mentioned removal and replacement of the box sections.

A mechanical humidifying or vaporous-medium producing unit H, disposed at the rear of the machine near the coulier motion mechanism C, see Fig. 1, and not of my invention except in combination with, and as modified for, the other elements herein set forth, comprises, as better shown in Fig. 8, a base 92 supported on the back beam I6 by a bracket 93, an apertured depending bottom wall 94, an an nular side ledge 95, and a top open-end or perimetral flange 96 supported on uprights 88 spaced about the flange 95 and having spaces 89 therebetween. A bracket 91, secured to the bottom wall 94 supports a motor N, as by standards I02 on the bracket 91, and carries on its shaft I03, a fan I04 in a shield I05 having an open top I06. The bracket 93, as shown, is in the form of a fork having main arms 90 secured to the back beam I6, as by bolts 9|, and branched or forked arms 99 secured to bosses I00 on the bottom wall 94, as by screws IOI.

A tank or reservoir I01, constituting a source of water or other liquid, is disposed in the base 92 and secured thereto suspended above the bottom thereof by top lugs I08 disposed on the flange 96, and secured thereto by screws I09. An apertured depending top wall II2, of the tank I01, constitutes a base ring or support for a basin rim II4 having a bottom perimeter II5 sealed about the perimeter of the opening in the ring II2; the rim II4 being of inverted substantially frusto-conical shape having a top flange II6 to which a basin cover 1 is secured in sealed relation thereto, as by'bolts H8.

The basin cover H1 is in the form of an inverted funnel having a reduced open top II9. A dome I22 conforming generally to, but substantially larger than, the basin cover- H1, is disposed over and around the cover on the base rin II2 to which a bottom flange I23 of the dome is sealingly secured, asby screws I24; the top I25 of the dome being disposed somewhat below the tip of the basin top II9.

Rubber bushings I26, on the base ring II 2, project upwardly through apertures inthe basin rim of the upper elements of the unit.

H4 in sealed relation thereto, and enclose bolts or supports I21 on which are supported a ring I28. Elements I29, of substantially L-shape, each is secured, by one of its arms to the ring I28. The other arm of each element I29 is secured to a dome-like cover I32 for a motor M near the bottom of the cover, which has an annular bottom flange I 33 sealingly seated on a grid element I34 in the form of an inverted pan having perimetrally-spaced vertical slots or apertures I35, a bottom perimeter sealingly fitted in the bottom perimeter II5 of the basin rim H4, and a slightly elevated closed top wall I36 about which the cover I32 flts.

Relatively long bolts I31 are secured to the grid top I36, and support the stator of the motor M, which stator comprises an electromagnet field-iron portion I 38, and coils I39. A top bridge I42, between the bolts I31, supports the shaft I43 of the armature I44 of the motor M; the lower end of the shaft I43 being positioned by the top wall I36 of the grid I34. A fan I45 is provided on the shaft I43 for cooling the motor M.

A disc I46, and a cone I41 in the form of a downwardly-converging tapered tube, are supported at the lower end of the shaft I43 such that, upon high-speed rotation of the shaft, wa-

ter in the tank I 01 is drawn upwardly in the cone I41 and whirled by the disc I46 through the grid slot I35, being broken up into fine spray as it is impelled into the space II 0 formed in the basin rim H4 and the basin cover H1.

The air draft from the fan I 04 travels upwardly through the spaces 89 into a space 3 between the dome I22 and an outer cover I48 which is seatedon the ledge 95, and encloses all In passing the basin top II9, the air in the space II3 tends to create a vacuum in the basin whereby to atomize the spray or convert it into a completep ly vaporized yarn-treating medium therein, and impel the medium solely in vaporized form upwardly through the top I49 of the cover I48 into a conduit I52 extending along-and adjacent to the sections E and F, Figs. 1, 5 and 7.

From the conduit I52, the mixture of airand atomized liquids travels along branch conduits I53 and I54 to upright nozzles I56 and I51 at the ends thereof extending through openings I55 in two of the sections F: at opposite ends of one of the intermediate sections F near the iongitudinal center of the box, these openings being suiflciently larger in diameter than the nozzies, in the lengthwise direction of the composite box, see Fig. 12, to compensate for expansion, contraction, and any discrepancies of dimensions which might occur between the conduit structure and the box.

The ejector nozzles or conduit portions I56 and I51 are disposed in detachable longitudinally overlapping interfltted end-to-end relation to the conduit portions I53 and. I54, respectively,

and are provided with aprons or flanges I58,

slidably mounted on the bottom wall portions 61, to seal the-openings I55, see Figs. 7 and 12. The top ends of the nozzles I 56 and I51 extend at right angles to the nozzle bodies proper to provide jet openings I59, see Fig. 5, facing oppositely toward the respective composite box ends 63; the moist air being thereby introduced into the box at a plurality of spaced positions suspended intermediate the walls of the box above the bottom portions 61.

Referring to Figs. 5, 6 and 8 for an under- 7 standing of the electrical and fluid circuits, and control apparatus, there are provided supply conductors I82 and I83, having a master switch I68 therein. A conductor I85, having a fuse I86 therein extends from the supply conductor. I 82 respectively, are branches of a conductor I11 which continues the circuit of conductor I69to the other terminal I18 of the mercury switch I68. The latter constitutes part of 'a control de-' level of the instrument, a main actuating arm I89 pivoted on a shaft I85, at the lower part of the device, an auxiliary arm I86 pivoted to the main arm I84 by apintle I81, a spring I88, a spring I89, an adjusting sector I92, amoisture-extensive filament device I93, an adjusting terminal I94 for the device I93, an'arm I95 pivoted on a pin I96 for carrying the mercury tube switch I68, and flexible leads I91 and I98 4o of the main lever I84.

' I99 in its stationary supporting bracket 283,

and locking it with a nut 284, various adjustfor extension from the terminals I61 and I18, respectively, to the terminals of the mercury tube I68.

The moisture extension device I93 preferably comprises a plurality of parallel horse hairs, or other filaments, strung in parallel between a stud I99 of the terminal I94 and-the lower end 282 By adjusting the stud ments of the device I93 may be efiected for causing the switch I68 to operate at 'difierent degrees of humidity.- The pintle I81 and the auxiliary arm I86 movein unison with the main arm I84 in an arc about the lower pin I85; the arm I86 being loosely connected, as by a fork, to the lever I95 whereby to actuate the latter a certain distanc'e to make and break the circuit between the contact members in thetube I68, irrespective The spring" I88 constitutes a yielding connection between the arms I84 and I86 whereby to compensate for of variable throw of the arm I84.

the variable throw of the arm I84. The spring I88, connected between the arm I 84 and a stationary bracket I'8I of the device. behind the sector I92, biases the arm I84 counterclockwise about its pivot pin I85, as viewed in Fig. 6; whereby to open circuit of the switch I68, when the device I93 becomes too wet for the degree of;

humidity desired to be maintained. By adjusting the sector I92 about the shaft I85, and setting it with a screw 286 in an arcuate slot 281 of the sector, the device may be caused to' open and stant'by afloat -lever-2l2"pivoted ona bracket 2I4 dependingffrom the base ring H2, and having a. ball float 2 I S at one end and avalveclosure element 2I6 at the other end. The element 2I6 Fig. 8, the level of the water 285 I cooperates'with the upper end of a water inlet supply pipe 2 I 1 which, with an overflow pipe 2I8, extends through the bottom of the tank I01, and

through the bottom wall 94 of the humidifier base 92, through sealing gaskets 289 and 222, respectively. p

In operatiomdepending on the size, texture, degree of twist or other characteristics of the yarn 69, the humidistat is adjusted to close the mercury-tube switch I68, when the humidity of the moistening box, comprising sections F and E, falls below a predetermined point. With the master switch I64 closed, this action connects the motors M and N to the supply circuit conductors I62 and I63, whereby to start the motors to eflect the above-mentioned atomizing action from the water in the tank I81 upwardly in the conical tube I41, radially outwardly along the disc I96, through the grid slots I35, upwardly in the space IIIl,and through the conduits I52, I53 and I54 to the nozzles E56 and I51. From the latter, the vapor is directed oppositely toward the end walls 63 of the composite box, and is preferably supplied in quantity just suflicient to properly moisten the various yarns, or sufiiciently close to such quantity, to prevent excessive accumulationof condensed moisture in the box. When the humidity in the box attains, a certain value, the switch circuit is opened, and a repetition of closing and opening of this switch maintains the times.

By the several adjustments or simultaneously operable multi-control features provided, the degree of humidity, the temperature and the quantity of vapor or condensed moisture disseminated in the container may be closelypredetermined and controlled, and may be different for different numbers of cones, different kinds of yarns, different surrounding conditions and various other factors. Thus, a control over a precise degree of humidification of the yarns is obtained which,

234, to a bellows 235 which is connected by a conduit 235;00 a bulb 231 in the tank I81 below the level of the liquid 285. 4

The bello'ws 235, the conduit 236 and the bulb 231 are filled by a substantially incompressible liquid which; when subject to temperature drop in the liquid 285, causes the bellows 235 to contract whereby to move the contact member 229,

about its pivot pin 233, into engagement with a normally stationary contact member 238. The

latter is in the form of a screw adjustably mo t. ed in a lug 239 on an insulating plate or sector 242 which is also pivotally mountedon the panel 232 by the pin 233. An operating shaft 243, mounted on the panel 232 in a bearing 244 has tr'knurled handle 245 and a worm screw 246 which engages a worm-wheel sector 241 on the insulat- -ing sector 242 whereby to adjust the latter about the axis of the pivot pin 233. Thus, by turning the handle 245, the normally stationarycontact member 238 may be moved bodily so that the distance required by the movable contact mem- 75 so humidity of the box substantially constant at all her 229 to be moved to engage the stationary contact member maybe varied. This distancemay be further adjusted by turning the stationary contact screw 238 in its lug 239. This structure constitutes a regulator for engaging and disengaging the contact members 229 and 238 at selected temperatures of the liquid 205 in the tank I01, and consequently, of the incompressible liquid in the bellows 235, the conduit 236 and the bulb 231.

A circuit extends from the main circuit conductor I63, through a conductor 248,v a flexible conductor 249, the crank arm 23I, the movable contact member 229; the stationary contact member 239, a flexible lead 250, a conductor 25I, and an electromagnetic switch or relay coil 252, back to the opposite main circuit conductor I62. This circuit controls the opening and closing of another circuit, between the main circuit conductors, through stationary switch members 253, and a movable switch contact member 254 that is biased to closed-circuit position against the contact members 253 by a solenoid core 255 against the action of a spring 256; the latter circuit continuing from the main-line conductor I63 and the switch-contact members, through a conductor 251. The latter has branch lines 258 and 259 leading, respectively, to one terminal each of electric heaters 260 and 26I in the tank I01 below the level of the water 205. From the heaters 260 and 26l, conductors 262 and 263, respectively,

join a conductor 264 leading back to the other main circuit conductor I62.

The handle 245 is manipulated to place the stationary contact member 238 at a selected position relative to the movable contact member 229, representing the temperature at which it is desired to maintain the liquid 205 in the tank I01. If, at the time of so operating the handle 245, the temperature of the liquid 205 in the tank I0! is lower or higher than the selected value, since the movable contact member 229 will be at a position representing the actual temperature of the liquid at the time of the adjustment, such operation will engage or disengage the contact members accordingly. In the first case, the circuits of the coil 252, and of the heaters 260 and 26l, are closed to raise the temperature of the liquid in the humidifier H to such point as to expand the bellows 235 and open the circuits. Cooling of the liquid in the humidifier contracts the bellows to close the circuits, and this cycle is repeated at each small departure from the the temperature of the vapor in the composite box B is maintained at a desired point, prefera bly substantially below the temperature of steam, yet sufiiciently high to effectively accelerate the penetrating action of the vapor into the yarns 69.

With the humidifiers heretofor e employed, when a machine is shut down for any appreciable period of time, as over night or longer, the yarn in the box is found to be too dry for use, thus necessitating loss of time and labor in correcting this condition, which is caused by the fact that, after the cones are brought from a conditioning room and placed in the box, altho the humidity of the air in the box may be suificient to retard drying of the yarn so long as the machine is kept fairly busy,'it is not suflicient to prevent excessive drying of the yarn over long periods of inactivity.

With the device of my invention, the above condition may be entirely eliminated by maintaining the humidifier in operation at all times during the ordinary working and idle periods of the machine.

By the uniform conditioning of the yarns, much operating trouble is avoided, a better fabric is produced, operating costs are lowered, and a device is obtained which is substantially more effective than, and an improvement over, other devices in its field.

Also, the conditioning of the yarn by the invention may be such as to preclude the requirement for preconditioning in the above-mentioned conditioning room, and to render unnecessary any subsequent treatment, as by passing the yarn through the moistening troughs; in which latter case, the length of yarn between the cones and the carrier will be shortened by the elimination of the troughs.

In the modification of my invention, indicated in Figs. 15 and 16, instead of directing the moist air oppositely along the interior of the composite box, and from only two jets, as in the abovedescribed form of the invention, the air is directed vertically from the bottom center of each box section Ea and Fa, to accomplish which result, conduits I53a and I54a, longer than the conduits I53 and I54, are extended from the humidifier unit H along the box, and are provided with tubular side outlets I into which are fitted short tubular nozzles I56a having flanges I58a resting 'on the bottom walls 61a of the box sections; the

nozzles I56a being of the same diameter relative to each other.

As shown, in Fig. 18, the nozzles I5'Ic, fitting outlets I600, of the conduit I540, have jet apertures I6I of progressively increasing diameter from the nozzle I 510 nearest to the humidifier unit H to the nozzle I5'Ic in the right end box section, whereby to compensate for pressure drop along the conduit, and to thus ensure more uniform expulsion of the vapor from the nozzles of the various sections, it being understood that the nozzles to the left of the humidifier unit also have progressively larger jet openings. In this form, the nozzles are simple cylindrical tubes having washer-like flanges I580 resting on bottom walls 610, in which flanges the variably sized apertures I6I are provided. In the various forms of the invention shown, the brackets 33 and 34 remain the same.

In Fig. 19, the variably-sized jet apertures are obtained in nozzles I5'ld by variously tapering the top ends of tubes of originally the same diameter throughout. These tubes are provided with flanges I58d, and are fitted into outlets I60d of conduit I54d, which,'like the conduit I540 corresponds to the conduit I54 of the previously described figures.

Fig. 17 illustrates a sectionalized box, similar to the previously described boxes of Figs. 1 and 15, except that, instead of being adapted for cooperation with a forced-draft humidifier system, is adapted for a stationary pool humidifier. It comprises end and intermediate box sections Eb and Fb, similar to the corresponding sections of the above-described structures, inturned end flanges 18, as in the describedstructures, the sheet-metal members 19, the end walls 63, and

' other elements, as above described, the main difference being that the humidifier unit H, and its associated conduits and nozzles, are

omitted, and stationary pools 223 of water probottoms tlb of the sections and giving its vapor through openings 225 in the bottoms as shown, and similar to usual structures of this kind. The end and intermediate brackets it may be the same as above set forth.-

In prior art structures, in which each box has its individual pan of water, when the door of one box is opened, although the air in the other boxes is not thereby afiected, the air in the opened box loses a certain amount of its humidified air which is replaced only in a relatively slow manner by the comparatively small water pool of such box, so that even where an active humidify- ,ing unit is not employed, the composite box structure of Fig. 17 will operate better than the individual box arrangement with the stationary water pools. This is because of the open end communication between the box sections, such that, when the door of one section is opened, although the air in all-of the sections may be slightly affected, this eifect will be very materially less than the above mentioned corresponding efiect in the individual box structure. Also, by reason of the intercommunication between the sections, the pools in these sections aid each other in affecting the interior space of the sections as a whole, so that, after a section has been opened and closed, the recovery from any loss of humidified air will be materially quicker.

ponent box sections E and F from service, while As illustratedin Figs. 20, 21 and 22, provision is made for removing one or more of the comanother or others remain in operative position, and closed at the end or ends. Closure plates or lids 23!, of which two are preferably provided with each composite box, are provided with handles 226, a pair of top clips 22'! and a bottom clip 228. The clips 22'l'and, 228 have a certain "amount of resiliency and are shaped such that,

when the plate is grasped by the handle 226 and thrust against the end of a box section in parallel plane relation thereto, the clips spring over the,

arms35 and '36 of the bracket 33 to effectively bind the plate against th box. It is contemplated that four such lids could be employed, with two of them as above set forth in connection with Figs. 20, 21 and 22, and two of them as readily removablepermanent end closures in the places of the end walls 63, whereby all thebox sections would be alike and interchangeable. When a'section is removed, as illustrated in Fig. 20fthe corresponding nozzle top of the conduit ltd will be closed, as by'a cap 230. I

Of course, the improvements specifically shown and described, by which the above-mentionedresults are obtained, maybe changed; in various ways without departing from the in,-

vention 'as 'set. forth and claimed.

' I claim:

1. The. method of treating yarn in a knitting machine yarn container, which comprises generating a yarn treating medium, surrounding the yarn within the container with said medium to provide for continuous reception by the yarn of the medium 'ata varying rate in accordance with variations in the quantity, rate of medium-receiving quality, and feeding of theyarn to the knitting mechanism of the machine, and generating the yarn treating medium, and. supplying the same to the-yarn, inaccordance with said vvarying rate of reception by the yarn of the medium.

2. The method of conditioning yarn in a knit-' ting machine provided with a yarn receptacle irom 'which yarn is fed to the knitting mechaand 33 6 the I a yarn conditioning system including a yarn nism, which comprises the mechanical conversion of a liquid from a supply into a vaporized medium, uniformly conditioning the yarn in the receptacle by the liquid in the form of said vaporized medium -by distributing saidmedium uniformly throughout the receptacle, and controlling such conditioning by automatically regulating s'aid mechanical conversion in accordance with conditions in the receptacle.

3. The method of ensuring that the variable supply of' yarn of a knitting machine shall be maintained in predetermined condition for most efiicient manipulation by the needles, sinkers and dividers of the knitting mechanism at the time of knitting a fabric from the yarn-which comprises enclosing the yarn in a container from tions and comprising separate cooperatively associated yarn container units for enclosing a yam-treating medium, and means for maintaining the yarn-treating medium uniformly distributed and homogeneous throughout the length of said housing structure, comprising means cooperatively connecting said yarn container units, said units and said maintaining means being arranged to eifect free distribution and homogenization of-the medium throughout the length of the housingstructure.

5. The combination with a machine for producing a knitted fabric from a plurality of yarns, of a yarn housing arranged to contain a pre-' conditioned medium for treating the knitting yam within said housing, a reservoir for a sub- .stance to, be converted into a yarn treating mediumpmeans for producing a preconditioned yarn treating medium including generating means for converting a portion of said substance into yarn treating medium at a rate corresponding with the varying rate of absorption of the medium by the yarn, means for varying the temperature of the medium, a regulator for the medium generating means, a regulator for the medium temperature varying means and a control device for one of said regulators motivated by. a change in the condition of the medium within said housing. In a machine for producing a knitted fabric.

combination with knitting mechanism, and

housing containing a yarn treating medium,

means for supplying a yarn treating medium to I the housing, means for varying the humidity of the medium, and means for varying the tempera, ture of the medium; of multi-control means for regulating said yarn conditioning system tomaintain thecharacter of the yarn conditioning medium at different predetermined values, including means responsive to variations in humidity of said medium, and means responsive to variations in temperature of said medium, said'responsive means being arranged to cooperate with the means for varying the humidity of the medium and the means for varying the temperature of the medium for simultaneously maintaining the humidity and temperature of the medium at predetermined values.

7. In a'knitting machine, knitting mechanism,

a continuous yarn receptacle including a plurality of separately removable sections connected in series, a conduit extending along and adjacent to said sections, separable connections between said sections and conduit, liquid supply means, and mechanical means for converting such liquid into a vaporized medium and forcing said medium through the conduit into the sections for the uniform conditioning of the yarn in said sections.

8. In a multi-section knitting machine, knitting mechanism, an elongated continuous yarn receptacle including a plurality of separately removable sections connected in series to form a continuous passage for a vaporized conditioning medium, and means for introducing conditioning vapor into the sections, arranged to effect circulation of the vapor between the sections Within the passage for the uniform conditioning of the yarn in said sections.

9. In a multi-section knitting machine, knitting mechanism; an elongated sectional yarn receptacle extending along a plurality of sections of the knitting machine and having a plurality of separately removable sections connected in series; and means for vaporizing a liquid conditioning medium and disseminating said vapor within the receptacle by forced circulation for the uniform conditioning of yarn in the receptacle.

10. In a multi-section knitting machine, knitting mechanism; an elongated sectional yarn receptacle extending along a plurality of sections of the knitting machine and having a plurality of separately removable sections connected in series; and means for vaporizing a liquid conditioning medium and forcing the medium in vaporized condition into the receptacle for the uniform conditioning of yarn in said receptacle.

11. In a knitting machine, knitting mechanism, means including a series of separable sections forming a continuous yarn receptacle, a conduit extending along and adjacent to said sections,

separable connections between said conduit and sections, liquid supply means, and mechanical means for converting such liquid into a vaporized medium and forcing said liquid in the form of such vaporized medium through said conduit into the sections for the uniform conditioning of the yarn in said sections. A

12. In a knitting machine, knitting mechanism, a continuous yarn receptacle including plurality of separately removable sections connected in series, a conduit extending along and adjacent to said sections, separable connections between said conduit and sections, liquid supply means, and mechanical means for converting such liquid into a completely vaporized medium and forcing said liquid solely while in the form of such vaporized medium through said conduit into the sections for the uniform conditioning of the yarn in said sections.-

13. A yarn-conditioning device, for a textileworking machine, comprising a box, yarn-package supporting means in the box, means for humidifying the air in the box including a source of moisture, an air-impelling device and an ejector conduit extending from said device and having a plurality of jet openings in the box of successive ly larger sizes from a jet next to the impelling device to a jet furthest therefrom, and means for leading the yarnfrom the box toward the machine.

14. A yarn-conditioning device for a knitting machine comprising a support, a composite elongated box unit on the support including a plurality of longitudinal communicating component box sections, yarn-package supporting means in the box, means for leadingthe yarn from the ,box toward the machine, means for humidifying the air in the box, means for readily detachably connecting said sections to each other, and means for closing an end of one of said sections in operative position when the section adjacent to said end is displaced from operative position.

15. A yarn-conditioning device for a knitting machine comprising a support, a composite elongated box unit on the support including a plurality of longitudinal communicating component box sections, yarn-package supporting means in the box, means for leading the yarn from the box toward the machine, means for humidifying the air in the box, means for readily detachably connecting said sections to each other, and means for closing the ends of two of said sections in operative position when a section or sections normally intermediate said two sections are displaced from operative position.

16. A yarn-conditioning device, for a yarnfabricating, machine, comprising a base, a box structure, means for mounting the box structure on the base including a bracket having an element for attachment to the base and a portion of substantially c-shape for surrounding-three sides of the box structure, a clamp for attachment to the ends of the legs of the bracket and closing the open side thereof in clamping cooperation With the box, means for humidifying the air in the box, yarn-package supporting means in the box, and means for leading the yarn from the box toward the machine.

1'7. A yarn-conditioning device, for a yarnfabricating machine, comprising a base, a box structure, means for mounting the box structure onthe base including a bracket having an element for attachment to the base and a portion of substantially C-shape for surrounding three sides of the box structure, said bracket having an integral flange of closed-loop shape in a plane transversely to the longitudinal axis of the box opposite an end of the box adjacent thereto and, with said portion of C-shape, forming substantially a rabbet groove on said three sides, a clamp for attachment to the bracket along said flange at the fourth side of the box to clamp the box in position, means for humidifying the air in the box, yarn-package supporting means in the box, and means for leading the yarn from the box toward the machine.

18. A yarn-conditioning device comprising a composite elongated box including separable longitudinal sections having adjacent longitudinally-abutting transverse perimetral end flanges, a plate mounted on one of said sections and overlapping the adjacent section, a base and means for mounting the box on the base including a bracket having an element for attachment to the base and a portion of substantially C-shape embracing three sides of the box transversely thereto over said plate, said portion of C-shape spanning adjacent ends of said box sections longitudinally of the box, a clamp for at tachment to the ends of the legs of the bracket across the fourth side of the box, also spanning said ends longitudinally of the box and clamping the sections in position, yarn -package supporting means in the box sections, means for humiditying the air in the box sections, and means for leading the yarn from the box sections.

HENRY JANSSEN. 

